Sweater Girls

***SoCal teenagers in the mid-50s preoccupied with sex and drinking*** Released in April 1978, this was inspired by the success of “American Graffiti” from five years prior, not to mention the television show Happy Days. The difference is that it adds a bit o’ nudity via two of the female protagonists (Tamara Barkley as Lynne and Julie Parsons as Joella, both no-names), as well as one of the guys. Another reviewer claimed that it capitalized on the popularity of films like “Animal House,” “Meatballs” and “Porky’s,” but that’s not the case since those were all released afterward with “Porky’s” in particular being influenced by it. Thankfully, this isn’t anywhere near as sleazy as that popular flick. It has a little more class while still unashamedly delving into the glory and shame of the high school years. It’s basically the precursor to “Valley Girl” (1983), albeit set in the ’50s and nowhere near as rewarding. The bulk of the story is just too one-dimensional, focusing on the eponymous girls hanging out at a house on the night of July 4th while the soused guys try to get in on the action. Jack O'Leary is on hand as an amusing cop investigating the proceedings. It’s a’right though. And it’s nice to see petite brunette Noelle North in a fairly prominent role as Bonnie. Charlene Tilton shows up at the very end, cute as can be, but it’s only a cameo and, with her rise in popularity shortly after this was made (due to her role in Dallas), producers dubiously used her brief appearance to promote the flick.    It runs 1h 24m and was shot in Whittier, California, which is about 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. GRADE: C+/B- (5.5/10)